Kubo Cafe
Quick info
About Kubo Cafe
On St Stephen St in Edinburgh, Kubo Cafe is a coffee shop serving a menu that pairs Filipino dishes with dumplings and dimsum. Chicken adobo, biko, and cassava cake sit alongside a green papaya salad and avocado toast, with a flat white or mango smoothie to drink. A Filipino couple runs the cafe, and it operates on a walk-in basis with no reservations. The space allows dogs, and it stays quiet enough for regulars and neighbourhood locals to treat it as a stop-in spot. The menu spans savory and sweet options across several cuisines rather than sticking to one style, giving the counter a broad list to work from at any time of day.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dimsum, green papaya salad, chicken adobo and avocado toast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention dimsum, green papaya salad, chicken adobo and avocado toast.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the dimsum and the green papaya salad, described as knock-your-socks-off fresh with a marvelous chili hit, as reasons to return. Close behind, the chicken adobo and dumplings draw praise for tasting homemade, alongside standouts like the mango smoothie and flat white. Reviewers consistently describe the owners, a Filipino couple, as friendly and welcoming, and the space itself as cozy, calm, and dog friendly, with several noting it feels like a genuine neighbourhood spot with regulars. Prices are repeatedly called very reasonable for the area. One reviewer, however, was disappointed with the avocado toast, saying the eggs weren't poached as advertised, the meal was bland, and the hot chocolate arrived nearly cold, adding they wouldn't recommend it for brunch despite finding the staff kind. Another guest wished tocino appeared on the menu alongside the adobo they enjoyed. Most describe a quiet, welcoming return visit rather than a one-off.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the dimsum and the green papaya salad, described as knock-your-socks-off fresh with a marvelous chili hit, as reasons to return. Close behind, the chicken adobo and dumplings draw praise for tasting homemade, alongside standouts like the mango smoothie and flat white. Reviewers consistently describe the owners, a Filipino couple, as friendly and welcoming, and the space itself as cozy, calm, and dog friendly, with several noting it feels like a genuine neighbourhood spot with regulars. Prices are repeatedly called very reasonable for the area. One reviewer, however, was disappointed with the avocado toast, saying the eggs weren't poached as advertised, the meal was bland, and the hot chocolate arrived nearly cold, adding they wouldn't recommend it for brunch despite finding the staff kind. Another guest wished tocino appeared on the menu alongside the adobo they enjoyed. Most describe a quiet, welcoming return visit rather than a one-off.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Kubo Cafe was a fantastic find! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The dumplings were delicious with tasty dipping sauces, and the papaya salad was crisp, refreshing, and packed with flavor. Every dish tasted homemade and carefully prepared. The service was equally impressive. The staff were warm, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Great food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. We’d definitely come back and highly recommend Kubo Cafe to anyone looking for an excellent meal.”
- Google user
“Sweet and welcoming spot on a lovely street. The green papaya salad was knock-your-socks-off fresh, bright and tasty, with a marvelous chili hit. Also loved the dimsum. Very good prices”
- Google user
“Busy Sunday in Stockbridge and I wanted somewhere to relax with a coffee before heading back to London from Edinburgh. Kubo was a great find. Really nice, relaxed vibe and not as crowded as most of the cafes on the main street. The couple running it were very welcoming, and it was lovely seeing so many locals and regulars stopping by for a chat. You could tell it’s a real community spot. I only had a flat white as I’d already eaten, but it was excellent. Would definitely come back next time I’m in Edinburgh.”
- Google user
“The cafe is cute and cozy but we were very disappointed with the avocado toast. The eggs were not poached as advertised in the menu and the meal was super bland. The hot chocolate was also served almost cold. The staff was very friendly and kind but I wouldn’t recommend this place for a good Sunday brunch.”
- Google user
“Extremely reasonably priced food in an otherwise expensive neighborhood. Plus, where else can you find dim sum, avocado toast, lentil soup, and blood pudding in the same cafe? My toddler loved everything - so many of his favorite foods all in one place! Very simple food, but comforting.”
Location
Coffee Shops near Kubo Cafe
- Cafe Romina4.52200.2 miVegan options
poached eggs on toast, cosy homely atmosphere, music at perfect volume
- Two Children Coffee4.32550.4 miOutdoor seating
breakfast brioche, jalapeño cheddar scone, date cocoa nib smoothie
- 0.4 miOutdoor seating
avocado toast, matcha latte, flat white/coffee quality
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kubo Cafe | 4.9111 | — | dimsum, green papaya salad, chicken adobo |
| Cafe RominaVegan options | 4.5220 | 0.2 mi | poached eggs on toast, cosy homely atmosphere, music at perfect volume |
| Two Children CoffeeOutdoor seating | 4.3255 | 0.4 mi | breakfast brioche, jalapeño cheddar scone, date cocoa nib smoothie |
| Fortuna Coffee Bar (New Town)Outdoor seating | 4.5150 | 0.4 mi | avocado toast, matcha latte, flat white/coffee quality |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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